Emmanuel Vanbrussel

Candriam is transforming its Global Metaverse Fund—originally focused on companies developing the metaverse—into a tech fund centered around AI, cybersecurity, and other trends. It marks a clear sign that the tech hype of 2022 has fully fizzled out.

The combination of artificial intelligence, impending regulation, and shifting market dynamics is shaking up the traditionally opaque sector of ESG data providers.

Degroof Petercam Asset Services (DPAS), a key service provider to Luxembourg’s fund industry, will change its name on 1 June. The rebranding follows the acquisition of Belgian financial group Degroof Petercam by the French firm Indosuez, part of Crédit Agricole.

Can private clients still trust that their bank’s advice is objective when that bank also owns a stake in the fund house behind the recommended products? The question is becoming more pressing across Europe, including Luxembourg, where private banks and fund distributors sit at the crossroads of European asset flows.

The investment fund Belfius Wealth is dissolving its sub-fund JP Morgan AM Convictions, citing “structurally low performance” and “lack of investor interest” as key reasons. Belfius is offering affected investors the option to transfer to a Blackrock sub-fund.

Belgium is entering the European defense investment arena with two new public-private initiatives, one at the federal level and another from the Flemish government.

Fannie Wurtz from Amundi Asset Management, notes that a striking number of Asian investors are channeling their savings into European funds. The French executive is also optimistic about the sector’s long-term prospects. “Several megatrends are driving the European market.”

The relaxed rules around Eltifs, the European vehicles for non-listed investments, are leading to a series of new launches. However, not all market players are equally enthusiastic. Many are still adopting a wait-and-see approach.

The gold price has already risen by more than 40 percent in a year. Private banks are not deterred by this significant price increase from designating the precious metal as the ideal hedge against geopolitical turbulence in the Trump II era.